Councillor Christopher Wellbelove

Archive for July, 2009

StareheFuture supports bright but impoverished children, educates them to an exceptionally high standard and changes the face of Kenya by ensuring that leadership and service values are woven into society at every level.

Mayor and Mayoress with dancers at the StareheFuture event at the Shell Centre

The event hosted and sponsored by Shell UK’s chairman James Smith and was supported by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal who has been a long term supporter of the charity.

Mayor and Mayoress of Lambeth with one of the StareheFuture team

The event included hugely talented African dancers who I managed to capture some of their performance on video.

Since becoming Mayor of Lambeth I have been asked to take positions in several organisations, however one that I have been keen to support is the Lambeth Community Fund who are an innovative approach to providing sustainable funding for Lambeth’s charities, community groups and social enterprises and is rooted in partnership between the private sector, public and voluntary and community sectors.

The meeting with the RT Hon Keith Hill MP was to let him know more about the fund and to urge him to raise awareness among businesses and organisations in his constituency.

Keith gave us some useful insights and suggestions and has kindly offered to host an event.

Mayor of Lambeth, Keith Hill MP, David Lammy MP and representative from Lambeth Community Fund

It was great to discuss this fantastic initiative with Keith, though we did keep him for quite a while outstaying our booked slot in the meeting room; which was booked next by David Lammy MP who we filled in on the work of the fund prior to asking to join us for a quick photograph.

Stockwell Green Community Services together with several organisations including the Foreign Commonwealth Office organised this visit to discus ‘Understanding identity and belonging of British Pakistanis’.

Pakistan delegation from the Youth Parliament in the Council Chamber

I welcomed the delegation including the Prime minister of the Youth Parliament and speaker from the Pakistani parliament.

There were presentations from the British Muslims talking about their experiences and I heard of the support they had received from within their community.

Pakistan delegation from the Youth Parliament in the Council Chamber

The event was extremely useful in sharing experiences and views.

I was presented with a beautiful plate by the delegation which is now on display in the Mayors parlour.

To engage youth in Pakistan in healthy discourse and expose them to the democratic process and practices, PILDAT has launched the Youth Parliament Pakistan. The first ever Youth Parliament Pakistan was held in 2007. Members of the Youth Parliament Pakistan are selected for the duration of a year from across the country in the same ratio as the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Establishment and facilitation of the Youth Parliament Pakistan is part of PILDAT’s focus on Youth in the country and Youth awareness, education and training in the norms of politics and democracy in the country. PILDAT strongly feels that sustainable democracy and the sustainability of sound democratic institutions in Pakistan is not possible without youth’s involvement in the democratic and political process even if this involvement is simply as a citizen or voter.

Lambeth is this year celebrating its 35th Country Show in Brockwell Park and this year they have expanded it arts area which has been named ‘Cultivate’. Cultivate is a showcase for individuals and organisations in the borough involved in the cultural sector. Over two days it will feature stage performances, opportunities for people to get involved in activities and the chance to view exhibitions.

Mayor of Lambeth at the opening of Cultivate with Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP and Lambeth Cabinet member for Culture and Communities Rachael Heywood

This year the new area will feature several prominent organisations from Lambeth including The Young Vic, South Connections, Whippershappers, Rambert Dance company, Independance and Gozart to name a few.

The area was opened by the RT Hon Tessa Jowell MP and Lambeth Cabinet member for Culture and Communities Rachael Heywood.

Mayor of Lambeth with visitors to Cultivate

Lambeth Country Show is on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July from 11:00 – 19:00, held in Brockwell Park. Nearest train station is Herne Hill, with no tubes due to work being done on the Victoria Line.

Urban Art is South London’s annual open air art gallery which is being held this year on the 18th & 19th July, Josephine Avenue, London SW2. I was there to open this fantastic event now in its eighth year.

Mayor of Lambeth with local councillors and Chuka Umunna at the opening of Urban Art 2009

And what an event it is, I was amazed by the number of exhibitors which have now begun to spill out beyond Josphine Avenue itself because of the sheer volume of artists displaying their work, with a huge variety of work of an amazing standard.

Mayor of Lambeth taking picture of art work on display in Josephine Avenue

Josephine Avenue is one of the many hidden treasures of Brixton. The historic tree lined avenue was restored to its Victorian splendour in the 1970’s when the railings were replaced after the originals were removed for the ‘war effort’. It is these railings, and the wide tree shaded avenue, which make this the perfect venue for this unique London alfresco art fair. [Urban Art website]

Mayor and his consort Anne Sassoon with an artist next to her work

Huge congratualations to the organisers of the event and I look forward to visiting it again next year.